In 'The Language of New Media', Manovich dicusses a principle of transcoding as, "the most substantial consequence of media's compterization." (Manovich, 2002: 63). Computerization is the process that converts media into computer data. This is highly significant in today's culture.
If we look at the world as having two layers, a computer layer and a cultural layer, it would be logical to say that each layer could affect the other (Manovich, 2002). For example, take our use of mobile phones. Before the invention of the now common mobile phone, people in general had to either remember or write down phone numbers in a personal phone book. Now with our mobile phones having phone books within them we culturally do not need to remember phone numbers.
There are many ways in which the computer layer affects the cultural layer and "as hardware and software keep evolving", (Manovich, 2002: 64) so do our cultural uses of them. Take our encyclopedias, homes used to have, and some still do, a collection of print encylopedias that could be used for referencing various topics. As computers became more efficient, encyclopedic software was created, like 'Encarta', this was a breakthrough as it meant that you could search the entire content for key words which made referencing much easier. Although currently we do not need such software as the internet has all of our information on sites such as Wikipedia, IMDB and even Google. Culturally it is normal to look up anything that we are quizzical about on these websites without a second thought.
A simple database used to just store and organise data, but now we can look at it being transcoded into video games, like 'Football Manager'. This unintentionally caused many effects on people, in addiction and behavioural patterns. Comedian Jason Manford was rude to a Manchester City player because he turned up late for training in his game (Nakrani, 2013). Fans of the game have applied for Football Manager jobs in real life, using the game as a work reference. One was successful (Burke, 2012). This is a extreme example of how transcoding affects our cultural behaviour, although an important one. Both the computer layer and cultural layer walk hand in hand and as one wants to change, so shall the other.
Bibliography
Nakrani, S. (2013) Football Manager craze has matured into a full-grown national obsession, Guardian, 21 August [Online]. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/aug/21/football-manager-craze-lionel-messi (Accessed: 16 October 2013)
Manovich, L. (2002) The Language of New Media (Cambridge, Mass: London MIT Press)
Burke, E. (2012) 21-year-old with 10 years' Football Manager experience becomes manager at FC Baku, SiliconRepublic, 22 November [Online]. Availbale at: http://siliconrepublic.com/digital-life/item/30360-21-year-old-with-10-years (Accessed: 16 October 2013)
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Manovich on New Media
"The computerization of culture not only leads to the emergence of new cultural forms such as computer games and virtual worlds; it redefines existing ones such as photography and cinema. " (Manovich, 2002: 35)
Manovich argues that the rise of new Media not only introduced new media platforms, but also reinvented those that already existed. It has even changed the somewhat previously untouchable nature of the static and moving image. In particular, he focuses on the shift that cinema has experienced. The validity of revolutionary nature of these changes however, can be questioned. Is new media really the instigator towards the first major reformation of this industry?
In actuality, many of new media's revolutionary principles can be traced back to far earlier methods, nullifying its apparent uniqueness. For one, it is easy to argue against its claims that digital media have allowed a multitude of platforms, such as text, moving images and sounds to be be shared and viewed through one device for the first time. As far back as the 1920s, predating the modern PC by nearly a century, Manovich points out that filmmakers were combining sound, text and moving images together. This would make cinema the original platform for multimedia.
Furthermore, is the debate that whilst digital media is discrete, analogue media can only be continuous. Manovich contrasts the 2D sampling of space with the cinemas sampling of time in order to debate this issue. The sampling of 24 frames a second created whilst filming can be used to prove that cinema had already prepared us for new media. "All that remained was to
take this already discrete representation and to quantify it," (Manovich, 2002: 66) a simple mechanical step.
In summary, it cannot be ignored how new media has changed the way we look at existing media platforms such as cinema. It is important to remember, however, that new media is not the only precursor for change in the industry. A brief look will reveal that a gradual change has been happening since the conception of cinema. It could be suggested that its the speed of change that new media brings that is more vital, compared to the fact that it brings change at all.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Manovich L | 2002 | The Language of New Media (MIT Press)
Manovich, The Language of New Media
"the popular definition of new media identifies it with the use of a computer for distribution or exhibition, rather than with production." (Manovich, 2002, P.43)
With this statement Manovich is telling us this is the popular definition that is placed on the term New Media but he goes to explain that he doesn't agree with it "I think it is too limiting" (Manovich 2002). When looking at New Media there is quite a number of examples of what in fact falls under the category of New Media e.g. Internet, Websites, Computer Multimedia, CD-ROM's, DVD's and Video Games. Equally there is quite a number of things that do not fall under the category of New Media e.g. Television, Films, Radio and generally any paper based products.
In today's world New Media is all about computer/digitalization, so this leads most media objects to rely on digital representation and computer based delivery. This means that most media objects contain similar qualities. New Media can be reduced to digital data that can be manipulated by software as easily as every other piece of data in the digital world. "all new media objects, whether they are created from scratch on computers, or converted from analog media sources, are composed of digital code; they are numerical representations." (Manovich, 2002, P.49). An example would be a physical still image (this would not fall under the category of New Media) that you took and scanned onto a computer and opened it on a program like Photoshop and implement simple effects such as grey-scaling, sepia and blur (the end product would now be considered under the category for New Media).
New Media is primarily interactive and allows the consumer to experience a form of media on a whole other level compared to what Old Media had to offer. Interactivity being a big part in New Media tells us that most New Media forms are internet based concepts like websites and digital mediums. When consumers experienced Old Media such as television or film they did so passively, but now with the rise of New Media in the sense of the interactivity now consumers can be part of the media, they can experience it instead of just watching it. A modern example would be the 'The Million Pound Drop Live'. This Show is broadcast live and instead of just watching the audience is encouraged to play along online, so they are experiencing this form of media and interacting with it.
"New Media is interactive. In contrast to traditional media where the order of presentation was fixed, the user can now interact with the media object." (Manovich, 2002, P.66).
Manovich gives a great and detailed insight into what New Media means and what it is but the most important aspect to me for New Media is that it creative control and interactivity of it.
In today's world New Media is all about computer/digitalization, so this leads most media objects to rely on digital representation and computer based delivery. This means that most media objects contain similar qualities. New Media can be reduced to digital data that can be manipulated by software as easily as every other piece of data in the digital world. "all new media objects, whether they are created from scratch on computers, or converted from analog media sources, are composed of digital code; they are numerical representations." (Manovich, 2002, P.49). An example would be a physical still image (this would not fall under the category of New Media) that you took and scanned onto a computer and opened it on a program like Photoshop and implement simple effects such as grey-scaling, sepia and blur (the end product would now be considered under the category for New Media).
New Media is primarily interactive and allows the consumer to experience a form of media on a whole other level compared to what Old Media had to offer. Interactivity being a big part in New Media tells us that most New Media forms are internet based concepts like websites and digital mediums. When consumers experienced Old Media such as television or film they did so passively, but now with the rise of New Media in the sense of the interactivity now consumers can be part of the media, they can experience it instead of just watching it. A modern example would be the 'The Million Pound Drop Live'. This Show is broadcast live and instead of just watching the audience is encouraged to play along online, so they are experiencing this form of media and interacting with it.
"New Media is interactive. In contrast to traditional media where the order of presentation was fixed, the user can now interact with the media object." (Manovich, 2002, P.66).
Manovich gives a great and detailed insight into what New Media means and what it is but the most important aspect to me for New Media is that it creative control and interactivity of it.
Manovich and New Media
Described by Manovich as 'the most substantial consequence of media's computerization', transcoding is to translate into another format. For example, e-books are a form of transcoding as they use an old media text and digitalised it to recreate the same text on a new format. Although it is the exact same text from print to digital, cultural categories and concepts are substituted as the computer has its ontology, epistemology and pragmatics. So what is the difference between using old media and new media and do we loose some of the enjoyable factors when using new media? I think this is a key part to new media and understanding what is different from old media.
Transcoding has changed the way we live our lives.Instead of printing photos we are uploading them, instead of going to the cinema, we are streaming films. New media has received criticism as William Mitchell backs up this argument by stating “Digitization involves inevitable loss of information. In contrast to an analog representation, a digitally encoded representation contains a fixed amount information.” (page 6 Mitchell,1982) But is this really the case? surely as modern technology moves on, we aren't loosing information, we gaining it?
For instance, we have more flexibility and choice when viewing photographs online instead of printing them. Music is much more accessible and it opens up more possibilities when listening online. The same cannot be said for analog media. “In contrast to analog media where each successive copy loses quality,
digitally encoded media can be copied endlessly without degradation.” states Mitchell. (page 6 Mitchell,1982)
I disagree with Mitchell when he states this as if we want to share a high quality image online we have to compromise and decreases the quality of the image. "The technique involves a compromise between image quality and file size -- the smaller the size of a compressed file, the more visible are the visual artifacts introduced in deletinginformation." Manovich (page 70,Manovich) This can also be said with watching film online as we will settle for a lower quality of picture because it is easier and more accessible than going to the cinema.
In "The Language of New Media", Manovich compares and contrasts transcoding and for now old media will continue to be an important part of our lives today.
Bibliography:
Mitchell, The Reconfigured Eye (Cambridge, Mass.: The MIT Press, 1982), 6.
Manovich, The Language of New Media, 70
Described by Manovich as 'the most substantial consequence of media's computerization', transcoding is to translate into another format. For example, e-books are a form of transcoding as they use an old media text and digitalised it to recreate the same text on a new format. Although it is the exact same text from print to digital, cultural categories and concepts are substituted as the computer has its ontology, epistemology and pragmatics. So what is the difference between using old media and new media and do we loose some of the enjoyable factors when using new media? I think this is a key part to new media and understanding what is different from old media.
Transcoding has changed the way we live our lives.Instead of printing photos we are uploading them, instead of going to the cinema, we are streaming films. New media has received criticism as William Mitchell backs up this argument by stating “Digitization involves inevitable loss of information. In contrast to an analog representation, a digitally encoded representation contains a fixed amount information.” (page 6 Mitchell,1982) But is this really the case? surely as modern technology moves on, we aren't loosing information, we gaining it?
For instance, we have more flexibility and choice when viewing photographs online instead of printing them. Music is much more accessible and it opens up more possibilities when listening online. The same cannot be said for analog media. “In contrast to analog media where each successive copy loses quality,
digitally encoded media can be copied endlessly without degradation.” states Mitchell. (page 6 Mitchell,1982)
I disagree with Mitchell when he states this as if we want to share a high quality image online we have to compromise and decreases the quality of the image. "The technique involves a compromise between image quality and file size -- the smaller the size of a compressed file, the more visible are the visual artifacts introduced in deletinginformation." Manovich (page 70,Manovich) This can also be said with watching film online as we will settle for a lower quality of picture because it is easier and more accessible than going to the cinema.
In "The Language of New Media", Manovich compares and contrasts transcoding and for now old media will continue to be an important part of our lives today.
Bibliography:
Mitchell, The Reconfigured Eye (Cambridge, Mass.: The MIT Press, 1982), 6.
Manovich, The Language of New Media, 70
New Defination of New Media with Five Elments
When Monovich started the own article; He wants to know limits of new media, Is all new product new media ? How can we define new media ?
The popular definition of new media identifies it with the use of a computer for distribution and exhibition, rather than with production. (Manovich, 2002 pg.43) Computer systems involve all part of life when we speak media especially new media this isn't eveluate with being computerization. Manovich said own essay photography, book, music etc. can be digital and it can be stored in cd or memory and view on computer screen but that isn't new media only "metamorfic" old media.
Manovich demonstrade own article that most important thing for new media is digital code and start five element such as numerical representation, modularity, automation, variability and transcoding.
Firstly, symbol and characters is composing numerical representation mathematical function an algorithmic manipulation provide that media becomes more programmable (Manovich, 2002). Forexample X, Y and 0, 1, 2 terms and formula are internatinonal and when some body send to other person, can understand and put into practice.
Secondly, Manovich explain modularity "called fractal structure". Forexample, one thing can be define or work different type like as movie video. BS.player, windows media player, real player and can play same video with different style.
Thirdly, Manovich say automation fix mistakes and supply to work with correct system. Forinstance, word document can find and adjust wrong things in text.
Fourtly, Variability is described media isn't fixed once and for all but can exist different versions. Forexample, one thing can be differnet format and can be launch various type of media.
Finally, Transcoding is translate something to other form. Forexample, a word format of text can be PDF format.
Bibliography
Manovich, L (2002) What is New Media of Media from the language of New Media (Cambridge, Mass: London MIT Press)
When Monovich started the own article; He wants to know limits of new media, Is all new product new media ? How can we define new media ?
The popular definition of new media identifies it with the use of a computer for distribution and exhibition, rather than with production. (Manovich, 2002 pg.43) Computer systems involve all part of life when we speak media especially new media this isn't eveluate with being computerization. Manovich said own essay photography, book, music etc. can be digital and it can be stored in cd or memory and view on computer screen but that isn't new media only "metamorfic" old media.
Firstly, symbol and characters is composing numerical representation mathematical function an algorithmic manipulation provide that media becomes more programmable (Manovich, 2002). Forexample X, Y and 0, 1, 2 terms and formula are internatinonal and when some body send to other person, can understand and put into practice.
Secondly, Manovich explain modularity "called fractal structure". Forexample, one thing can be define or work different type like as movie video. BS.player, windows media player, real player and can play same video with different style.
Thirdly, Manovich say automation fix mistakes and supply to work with correct system. Forinstance, word document can find and adjust wrong things in text.
Fourtly, Variability is described media isn't fixed once and for all but can exist different versions. Forexample, one thing can be differnet format and can be launch various type of media.
Finally, Transcoding is translate something to other form. Forexample, a word format of text can be PDF format.
Bibliography
Manovich, L (2002) What is New Media of Media from the language of New Media (Cambridge, Mass: London MIT Press)
There are number of factors that Monovich explains how media becomes new media. The media form or product has to be successful. In order for media products to function they need to be used to be recognized. A new process invented by Louis Dagueere called the 'Dagueereotype' (Manovich 2002) It was reasonably unknown until a number of corrections were made. This then made consumers want the new media product. Manovich writes 'two years later after various technical improvements to the process, portrait galleries were opened everywhere and everybody rushed in to have their pictures taken by a new media machine' (Manovich 2002 pg:45)
New media is now translated into a form which can be accessible to computers. (Manovich 2002). This would lead us to believe that the majority of new media is intertwined with a computer or the internet. A traditional television is being replaced by new media technologies from the internet such as YouTube and various types of streaming and downloads. A computer can display a various amount of new media forms. (Monovich 2002) 'All new media objects, whether they are created from scratch on computers or converted from analog media sources, are composed of digital code; they are numerical representations' (Manovich 2002 pg:49) For a media to be a new media can be mathematically formulated and new media is open to be manipulated. 'New media also allows us to create versions of the same object which differ from each other in more substantial ways. Here the comparison with maps of diffident scales no longer works. The examples of commands in commonly used software packages' (Manovich 2002 pg:58) Such new media technologies such as Photoshop, editing we can manipulate media that is already in front of us (Manovich 2002)
New media encourages the consumers of new media products to be active consumers. When we watch a movie, series or read a book or magazine we can not only do all these things with the use of a computer and the internet. We can also interact with the shows we watch and other fans of the show or book etc. Before new media forms such as internet, people listened to the radio or watched a movie they passively consumed it.
'Old media involved a human creator, who manually assembled textual, visual, and/or audio elements into a particular composition or sequence' (Manovich 2002 pg:56) This is no longer the case. New media can be used in different versions. This is partly due to the coding of media. A new media object is usually a form of older media which is improved upon. It's also not necessarily invented solely by a human.
Bibliography: Lev Manovich, The language of New Media. 2002.
New media is now translated into a form which can be accessible to computers. (Manovich 2002). This would lead us to believe that the majority of new media is intertwined with a computer or the internet. A traditional television is being replaced by new media technologies from the internet such as YouTube and various types of streaming and downloads. A computer can display a various amount of new media forms. (Monovich 2002) 'All new media objects, whether they are created from scratch on computers or converted from analog media sources, are composed of digital code; they are numerical representations' (Manovich 2002 pg:49) For a media to be a new media can be mathematically formulated and new media is open to be manipulated. 'New media also allows us to create versions of the same object which differ from each other in more substantial ways. Here the comparison with maps of diffident scales no longer works. The examples of commands in commonly used software packages' (Manovich 2002 pg:58) Such new media technologies such as Photoshop, editing we can manipulate media that is already in front of us (Manovich 2002)
New media encourages the consumers of new media products to be active consumers. When we watch a movie, series or read a book or magazine we can not only do all these things with the use of a computer and the internet. We can also interact with the shows we watch and other fans of the show or book etc. Before new media forms such as internet, people listened to the radio or watched a movie they passively consumed it.
'Old media involved a human creator, who manually assembled textual, visual, and/or audio elements into a particular composition or sequence' (Manovich 2002 pg:56) This is no longer the case. New media can be used in different versions. This is partly due to the coding of media. A new media object is usually a form of older media which is improved upon. It's also not necessarily invented solely by a human.
Bibliography: Lev Manovich, The language of New Media. 2002.
Manovich - New Media and What It Isn't
Manovich explains in this book the different processes in which the media from becomes New Media. He explains how new media first came about. Louis Daguerre developed a new process called the 'daguerreotype' (Manovich 2002). After reading where the beginnings of how New Media began it is apparent that the consumers demanded the New Media product. Manovich mentions "two years later, after various technical improvements to the process, portrait galleries were opened everywhere — and everybody rushed in to have their picture taken by a new media machine" (Manovich 2002, pg:45) This shows us the development which took place in New Media because of the demand and popularity of it with the people. They give the consumers what they want. This in comparison to the 21st century and the demand for New Media is more in the form of the internet, the internet has taken over the traditional television, were sites such as Netflix and YouTube are in higher demand by the people.
New media in overall terms can be thought of consisting of
two general layers as Manovich mentions in this book as the 'cultural' layer
and the 'computer' layer. So the cultural layer can consist of short story and
plot and the computer layer can consist of process and packet, a computer
language and data structure. (Manovich 2002, pg:63)
I believe that this is fundamental in the growth of New Media and where it is
heading because there is rapid change and growth in computer software/hardware
and that means computers are being asked to take on more and more. Manovich mentions how the two layers influence
each other (pg:64) and that they complement each other in a way. Mobile phones
rely on transcoding and the use of New Media such as when sending a picture
through MMS is required. The image will appear to be large at first but the
transcoding will lower the quality of the image and colours if necessary so
that the image can be sent.
References - http://andreknoerig.de/portfolio/03/bin/resources/manovich-langofnewmedia.pdf
Manovich, Language of New Media, 2002.
Manovich, Language of New Media, 2002.
Manovich and New Media
Manovich provides us with a popular definition of new media, he states 'new media identifies it with the use of a computer for distribution and exhibition, rather than production.' (Manovich, 2002, P.18) There are numerous examples of new media which include the Internet, websites, CD-ROMs, computer multimedia and DVDs. Manovich gives us an example to help understand what new media is and what it is not: 'texts distributed on a computer are considered to be new media, text distributed on paper are not.' (Manovich, 2002, P.18)
The question is, how does media become new media? Manvoich gives us insight into how this happens throughout his book. The first instance I came across was this, 'all existing media are translated into numerical data accessible for the computers.' (Manovich, 2002, P.24) The difference between old and new media is that new media operate through a form of numerical representation which is one of Manovich's key principles. 'The consequence of this development are far-reaching ... because the representation of cultural forms in numerical codes enables them to be reproduced, manipulated and transmitted with unprecedented ease.' (Beer & Gane, 2008, P.6) On computers today we can do everything; watch movies, download songs, edit pictures and play games. They act as a 'multimedia display device.' (Manovich, 2002)
An important point to remember is that 'many new media are converted from various forms of old media.' (Manovich, 2002, P.25) With old media forms such as television and radio communications are only one way, we cannot participate in a television programme, which makes audiences passive. With new media forms such as the Internet we can be active consumers and interact with the media by playing online games, communicate with friends via social networks and so on.
What separates new media from other media forms is the fact that it is digital. 'New media is analogue media converted to a digital representation.' (Manovich, 2002, P. 43) A paperback book is not new media, but an electronic book is new media. 'New media does not include television programmes, feature film, magazines, books or paper-based publications - unless they contain technologies that enable digital interactivity.' (Eber-Schmid & Socha, 2012, [Online]) This is a key aspect of new media. Old media did not enable the consumer to be active and interact with media. They were passive audience members who just watched, for example, a movie and that was it. 'In contrast to traditional media where the order of presentation was fixed, the user can now interact with a media object.' (Manovich, 2002, 43) Now new media allows audience members to be a part of the media. These members watch a movie, then they can go onto the website and play games, buy merchandise, read about characters and chat to other fans. This is interactivity, this is digitization and this is new media.
BOOKS:
David Beer & Nicholas Gane, 'New Media: The key concepts,' 2008, Berg Press
Les Manovich, 'The language of new media,' 2002 MIT Press
WEBSITES:
Barbara Eber-Schmid and Bailey Socha, 'Defining new media isn't easy', 2012, [Online]
Available at: http://www.newmedia.org/what-is-new-media.html
Accessed on 14 October 2013
The question is, how does media become new media? Manvoich gives us insight into how this happens throughout his book. The first instance I came across was this, 'all existing media are translated into numerical data accessible for the computers.' (Manovich, 2002, P.24) The difference between old and new media is that new media operate through a form of numerical representation which is one of Manovich's key principles. 'The consequence of this development are far-reaching ... because the representation of cultural forms in numerical codes enables them to be reproduced, manipulated and transmitted with unprecedented ease.' (Beer & Gane, 2008, P.6) On computers today we can do everything; watch movies, download songs, edit pictures and play games. They act as a 'multimedia display device.' (Manovich, 2002)
An important point to remember is that 'many new media are converted from various forms of old media.' (Manovich, 2002, P.25) With old media forms such as television and radio communications are only one way, we cannot participate in a television programme, which makes audiences passive. With new media forms such as the Internet we can be active consumers and interact with the media by playing online games, communicate with friends via social networks and so on.
What separates new media from other media forms is the fact that it is digital. 'New media is analogue media converted to a digital representation.' (Manovich, 2002, P. 43) A paperback book is not new media, but an electronic book is new media. 'New media does not include television programmes, feature film, magazines, books or paper-based publications - unless they contain technologies that enable digital interactivity.' (Eber-Schmid & Socha, 2012, [Online]) This is a key aspect of new media. Old media did not enable the consumer to be active and interact with media. They were passive audience members who just watched, for example, a movie and that was it. 'In contrast to traditional media where the order of presentation was fixed, the user can now interact with a media object.' (Manovich, 2002, 43) Now new media allows audience members to be a part of the media. These members watch a movie, then they can go onto the website and play games, buy merchandise, read about characters and chat to other fans. This is interactivity, this is digitization and this is new media.
BOOKS:
David Beer & Nicholas Gane, 'New Media: The key concepts,' 2008, Berg Press
Les Manovich, 'The language of new media,' 2002 MIT Press
WEBSITES:
Barbara Eber-Schmid and Bailey Socha, 'Defining new media isn't easy', 2012, [Online]
Available at: http://www.newmedia.org/what-is-new-media.html
Accessed on 14 October 2013
Manovich - What New Media is'nt
Manovich identifies New Media as "the use of a computer for distribution and exhibition, rather than with production" (Manovich, pg. 43, 2002)
In this chapter of the book, we are looking at the separate historical trajectories of New Media in the form of Computing and Media technologies. We know that in historical terms, Computers where used to perform mass calculations on numerical data more efficiently. Then we see the rise of Media Technologies, where them being used to store images, sounds and text, using a different material form such as a photographic plate or film stock. (Manovich, pg. 44, 2002)
The principal of New Media I think is most important is Transcoding. The basic material principals of New Media - numeric coding and modular organisation then moved to deeper ones - automation and variability. (Manovich pg.63, 2002)
This principal surrounds computerization, which turns media into computer data. New media in general can be thought of consisting of two general layers; the 'cultural' layer and the 'computer' layer. So the cultural layer can consist of short story and plot and the computer layer can consist of process and packet, a computer language and data structure. (Manovich, pg.63, 2002)
I think this is important because as we get older, computer software and hardware is evolving and rapidly upgrading, therefore computers are being used for new tasks and carrying out new functions. Manovich says that the two computer layers influence each other(pg.64) and that they are compositing each other.
"In new media lingo, to 'transcode' something is to translate it into another format"(Manovich,pg.64,2002). This means that transcoding something and changing it to another format would gain comparability with another programme or application. So it could be used to convert video formats(Quicktime to MPEG) but it can also be used to convert HTML files to fit onto mobile devices, for the use of e-mailing applications.
Image URL (http://www.longtailvideo.com/support/bits-on-the-run/24279/understanding-our-transcoding/)
References - http://andreknoerig.de/portfolio/03/bin/resources/manovich-langofnewmedia.pdf
Manovich, Language of New Media, 2002.
In this chapter of the book, we are looking at the separate historical trajectories of New Media in the form of Computing and Media technologies. We know that in historical terms, Computers where used to perform mass calculations on numerical data more efficiently. Then we see the rise of Media Technologies, where them being used to store images, sounds and text, using a different material form such as a photographic plate or film stock. (Manovich, pg. 44, 2002)
The principal of New Media I think is most important is Transcoding. The basic material principals of New Media - numeric coding and modular organisation then moved to deeper ones - automation and variability. (Manovich pg.63, 2002)
This principal surrounds computerization, which turns media into computer data. New media in general can be thought of consisting of two general layers; the 'cultural' layer and the 'computer' layer. So the cultural layer can consist of short story and plot and the computer layer can consist of process and packet, a computer language and data structure. (Manovich, pg.63, 2002)
I think this is important because as we get older, computer software and hardware is evolving and rapidly upgrading, therefore computers are being used for new tasks and carrying out new functions. Manovich says that the two computer layers influence each other(pg.64) and that they are compositing each other.
"In new media lingo, to 'transcode' something is to translate it into another format"(Manovich,pg.64,2002). This means that transcoding something and changing it to another format would gain comparability with another programme or application. So it could be used to convert video formats(Quicktime to MPEG) but it can also be used to convert HTML files to fit onto mobile devices, for the use of e-mailing applications.
Image URL (http://www.longtailvideo.com/support/bits-on-the-run/24279/understanding-our-transcoding/)
References - http://andreknoerig.de/portfolio/03/bin/resources/manovich-langofnewmedia.pdf
Manovich, Language of New Media, 2002.
The Language Of New Media : Transcoding.
Transcoding, "The most substantial consequence of media's computerization" (Manovich, 2002 : 63) described Manovich. Though, how does transcoding help us in defining New Media and what is Transcoding?
In The Language Of New Media by Manovich, he talks about what New media is by highlighting five different principles of new media. For me, it seemed that the most important principle was Transcoding.
Manovich explains in 'new media lingo', to "transcode something is to translate it into another format" (Manovich, 2002 : 64), such as the transformation from a text file into sound.
 |
| 1/ This image demonstrates the process of transcoding. |
Once an item or an object has been transcoded, it then becomes a different shape or object digitally even though it may appear the same visually to the user. In his book The language of New Media, Manovich suggests to divide/think about New Media in to two different layers, the 'culture layer' and the 'computer layer' (Manovich, 2002 : 63)
Manovich states:
"As hardware and software keep evolving and as the computer is used for new tasks and in new ways, this [computer] layer undergoes continuous transformation" (Manovich, 2002 : 64)
Manovich believes that both, the culture layer and the computer layer influence the development of one another. The way that the culture layer is organized is influenced by the organization of data in the computer layer. Culture layer is defined as the layer affecting "all cultural categories and concepts." The cultural layers are transcoded into a new form of new media and are processed through computers. The computer layer is the digital coding that the computer uses to translate into objects . Manovich uses the encyclopaedia as an example of cultural layer, which is something that the public is fairly familiar with and is often used. Other culture layers would include literary texts.
It is evident that the culture and computer layers work together/cohere to produce what we now call a 'computer culture' (Manovich, 2002 : 64) The culture layer is what the humans recognize and are familiar with whereas the computer layer is the digital coding used by the computer to translate it into objects or a language that we are familiar with.
2/ This diagram summarises the relationship
between culture layer and computer layer.
References:
- Manovich L. 2002, The Language Of New Media: What is New Media and The Principles Of New Media (43-66)
Images:
"We are in the middle of a New Media revolution"
Manovich states that all forms of media have "The same potential to change existing cultural languages. And all have the same potential to leave culture as it is". (Manovich, 2002, p. 43) There has been a paradigm shift in the media landscape and the computerization of media has had a huge impact of the development of modern society "we are in the middle of a New Media revolution" (Manovich, 2002, p.43)
New Media exists on two layers, the 'Cultural' layer and 'Computer' layer. Technology-wise it is the convergence of many old media forms into one device, Manovich puts forward that the development of modern media and the development of computers where two trajectories that where designed to meet. (Manovich, 2002, p. 46)
Manovich states that there are five key principles of New Media, each dependent on the one the one that preceded it. Material principles such as numeric coding and modular organisation state that all New Media is composed of digital code and that any element of a media object is represented as collections of small, discrete samples. All these small elements are brought together into larger objects whilst at the same time maintaining their separate identity. (Manovich, 2002, p. 51) More far reaching principles such as automation and variability state that these previous principles allow many operations involved in media creation to be automated, which in turn partially removes people from the creative process. (Manovich, 2002, p.53) New Media is characterized by its variability, producing many different versions instead of a direct copy. (Manovich, 2002, p.56)
The most important principle of New Media is Transcoding. Transcoding refers to the way the human 'cultural layer' is interpreted in computerized processes and the 'computer layer' in human cultural terms.(Manovich, 2002, p. 63) Manovich believes each layer influences the development of the other and that they can no longer be viewed as separate entities.
"The computer layer and the media/culture layer influence each other. To use another concept from new media, we can say that they are being composited together. The result of this composite is the new computer culture: a blend of human and computer meanings, of traditional ways human culture modeled the world and the computer's own ways to represent it." (Manovich, 2002, p. 64)
Manovich states it's no longer just the way humans derive meaning from objects that shapes our cultural landscape, but that the computerization of content creates meaning and informs our understanding of cultural practices. The way computers represent human culture has an effect on shaping culture itself.
Bibliography
Manovich, L., 2002. The Language of New Media. [Online]
Available at: http://andreknoerig.de/portfolio/03/bin/resources/manovich-langofnewmedia.pdf [Accessed 13 October 2013].
New Media exists on two layers, the 'Cultural' layer and 'Computer' layer. Technology-wise it is the convergence of many old media forms into one device, Manovich puts forward that the development of modern media and the development of computers where two trajectories that where designed to meet. (Manovich, 2002, p. 46)
Manovich states that there are five key principles of New Media, each dependent on the one the one that preceded it. Material principles such as numeric coding and modular organisation state that all New Media is composed of digital code and that any element of a media object is represented as collections of small, discrete samples. All these small elements are brought together into larger objects whilst at the same time maintaining their separate identity. (Manovich, 2002, p. 51) More far reaching principles such as automation and variability state that these previous principles allow many operations involved in media creation to be automated, which in turn partially removes people from the creative process. (Manovich, 2002, p.53) New Media is characterized by its variability, producing many different versions instead of a direct copy. (Manovich, 2002, p.56)
The most important principle of New Media is Transcoding. Transcoding refers to the way the human 'cultural layer' is interpreted in computerized processes and the 'computer layer' in human cultural terms.(Manovich, 2002, p. 63) Manovich believes each layer influences the development of the other and that they can no longer be viewed as separate entities.
"The computer layer and the media/culture layer influence each other. To use another concept from new media, we can say that they are being composited together. The result of this composite is the new computer culture: a blend of human and computer meanings, of traditional ways human culture modeled the world and the computer's own ways to represent it." (Manovich, 2002, p. 64)
Manovich states it's no longer just the way humans derive meaning from objects that shapes our cultural landscape, but that the computerization of content creates meaning and informs our understanding of cultural practices. The way computers represent human culture has an effect on shaping culture itself.
Bibliography
Manovich, L., 2002. The Language of New Media. [Online]
Available at: http://andreknoerig.de/portfolio/03/bin/resources/manovich-langofnewmedia.pdf [Accessed 13 October 2013].
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Manovich-What New Media Is and Isn't.
From this extract from Manovich's book The Language Of New Media Manovich strongly emphasis's that New Media is all about computers doing the "distribution or exhibition, rather than the production."(Manovich, Pg 43, 2002) of the Media. In terms of New media, we see examples of it everywhere in our everyday lives like Computer design, Internet, Blu-Ray, Video Games, 3D and Smart TV's etc. But Obviously New Media forms could not be here today without the Older Media which there is also a lot of too and that are still popular like Newspapers, Normal TV, Radio and Films etc.
Computers have changed a lot over the years, from just being big calculators, to punch card machines, to basically being the centre of all media in the world, that is quite a large step forward for the computer right? (Manovich, Pg 48, 2002) The Computer separates itself from other Media forms as it is so much more powerful and can do so much more stuff than any TV or video camera could ever do and it is this factor that makes it what New Media revolves around. A Computer (with the help of internet) is changing the way we watch and consume TV programs. We are now able to watch what we want when we want because of all new types of channel streaming websites and apps that let us enjoy our programs at our fingertips in the comfort of our own beds. "New media is interactive." (Manovich, Pg 66, 2002) As Manovich stated because of Computers we can now interact with are programs like never before with such programs like Big Brother and The Million Pound Drop allowing viewers to play along or answer questions about the show via their computer or tablet.
"Do we want, or need, such freedom?" (Manovich, Pg62, 2002) In this statement Manovich is questioning whether or not the general public should have the ability to change and manipulate Old Media to make it New Media. There should not even be questions over this as this ability that the public have overshadows a lot of Media industry work and shows what potential everyone out there has and this set of skills for the public only came about with a Computer and the New Media.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Book: L.Manovich, The Language Of New Media, 2002, MIT Press.
Computers have changed a lot over the years, from just being big calculators, to punch card machines, to basically being the centre of all media in the world, that is quite a large step forward for the computer right? (Manovich, Pg 48, 2002) The Computer separates itself from other Media forms as it is so much more powerful and can do so much more stuff than any TV or video camera could ever do and it is this factor that makes it what New Media revolves around. A Computer (with the help of internet) is changing the way we watch and consume TV programs. We are now able to watch what we want when we want because of all new types of channel streaming websites and apps that let us enjoy our programs at our fingertips in the comfort of our own beds. "New media is interactive." (Manovich, Pg 66, 2002) As Manovich stated because of Computers we can now interact with are programs like never before with such programs like Big Brother and The Million Pound Drop allowing viewers to play along or answer questions about the show via their computer or tablet.
"Do we want, or need, such freedom?" (Manovich, Pg62, 2002) In this statement Manovich is questioning whether or not the general public should have the ability to change and manipulate Old Media to make it New Media. There should not even be questions over this as this ability that the public have overshadows a lot of Media industry work and shows what potential everyone out there has and this set of skills for the public only came about with a Computer and the New Media.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Book: L.Manovich, The Language Of New Media, 2002, MIT Press.
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